Abdulsalami Rejected Military Pressure To Extend Rule — Ex-CSO

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), resisted pressure from within the military to extend his transition programme and remained committed to returning Nigeria to democratic rule, his former chief security officer, Major-General Abdul Aliyu (rtd), has revealed.

Aliyu, who chaired the organising committee for the public presentation of three books in honour of the former military leader for his 84th birthday, said Abdulsalami was prepared to do whatever was necessary, “including against himself,” to ensure a peaceful transition to civilian rule.

Speaking at the event in Abuja yesterday, Aliyu recalled serving as the late military ruler’s chief security officer after he assumed office in 1998 following the death of General Sani Abacha.

According to him, when Abdulsalami unveiled his six-month transition programme, opinions within the military were divided.

“One group believed that this time they had accepted as proposed. Another group felt that was okay, but that there should be an extension of five to six months. The third group felt the civilians were not ready to take over the country,” he said.

Aliyu said he approached Abdulsalami with the concerns and suggested that extending the programme could help win over those opposed to the handover timetable.

“Sir, those are the institutions for me extending six months so that we can have the small group by our side,” he recalled telling the former Head of State.

However, Abdulsalami rejected the proposal and insisted that national interest must come first.

Aliyu quoted him as saying: “It is my duty and my task to take decisions on behalf of the country and what is good for the country and for the people. I’ve taken my decision. That’s what I will do.”

The retired general said Abdulsalami’s determination demonstrated his willingness to put the country above personal considerations.

“He was ready to go to any extent, including against himself,” Aliyu said.

The revelations came during the presentation of three books in honour of the former Head of State — Call of Duty: An Autobiography of Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar and Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honour of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Abdulsalami, who assumed office in 1998, oversaw Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule and handed over power to an elected government in May 1999, ushering in the Fourth Republic.